James Hill admits Scott Parker played a key role in his decision to join AFC Bournemouth despite interest from Rangers and Premier League Leeds United, speaking to the Cherries’ official website.
Back in December, Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley insisted that the club’s prized asset would not be going anywhere ‘on the cheap’, having laughed off a trio of lowball bids from Rangers, Southampton and Burnley.
But, with Hill’s contract expiring in the summer, keeping the England U21 international at Highbury beyond the January window was always going to be easier said than done.
And so it proved.
Promotion-chasing Bournemouth sealed a £1 million deal on Wednesday, stumping up a fee that makes Hill the most expensive export in Fleetwood’s 114-year history while fighting off competition from higher up the footballing pyramid.
But, according to Hill, the opportunity to play regular first-team football under Scott Parker – a coach renowned for giving youth a chance – was a major factor in his decision to swap the west coast for the south.
Has James Hill made the right call choosing Bournemouth?
“I spoke to the manager and thought he was really nice to me, gave me a clear pathway (to the first-team) and obviously I felt very comfortable speaking to him,” explains Hill, who had also been linked with a shock move to Barcelona.
“The football club in itself, striving to learn and find more success (are the main reasons why I chose Bournemouth).”
“We are delighted to have James on board,” adds Bournemouth chief executive Neil Blake. “He is a player who is a great fit for the club and I’m sure will prove to be a huge asset for us.
“Unsurprisingly there was a lot of interest in James. And the fact he has chosen to come here speaks volumes for this club and the direction the team is moving in under Scott Parker.”
Rangers will remain in the market for a new centre-half despite missing out on Hill, especially with Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun both out of contract at the end of this season.
Filip Helander, meanwhile, has just over a year left on his deal too.
On Wednesday, Vitesse Arnhem captain Danilho Doekhi admitted that Rangers have shown an interest in taking him to Ibrox.
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